Indian Navy â€˜Noâ€™ to Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers!!!

The Indian Navy seems to be sceptical of using nuclear energy for its aricraft carriers, though it plans to commission the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant in December.

â€œInstalling nuclear technology on a ship involves a huge design issue and high cost,â€ Admiral Nirmal Verma, the Chief of Naval Staff, told DC after inaugurating the India International Regatta here.

â€œWe have restricted the use of nuclear technology to submarines, where it helps to create endurance under water,â€ he said.

Admiral Verma said the indigenously built warship INS Satpura was commissioned two months ago, while the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, would join the navy by December 2012.

â€œThe three additional stealth frigates that are being built in Russia will reach us in the next 18 months,â€ he said.

On piracy off the coast of Somalia, Admiral Verma said the Indian Navy is part of the multinational naval task force set up to counter the threat.

â€œThere is a tremendous exchange of information between all navies through a private computer network. About 15 countries, including France, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, China and India, are involved in this effort,â€ he said. Since 2008, an Indian ship has been permanently assigned to patrol the area.

â€œThe Somalia coast comes within 200 to 300 miles of Lakshdweep. So we are carrying out massive search operations to keep the waters safe,â€ he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff unveiled an Optimist boat to mark the official launch of the India International Regatta in Chennai and had called on TN Governor K. Rosaiah.

More than 100 sailors from 10 countries, including hosts India, Qatar, Ireland, Slovenia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Myanmar and Indonesia, are taking part in the regatta that will end on October 9.

The regatta is organised by the Chennai Sailing Academy under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association.

The Commodore of the TN Sailing Association, Ashok Thakkar, said sailing is poised for growth in the state with government planning to build an international class marina.

I partially agree with what sob has said,we do need to go nuclear for surface vessels at present.A COGAG or CODAG arrangement is fine for a carrier of 40,000tonnes with a ski lift .however once we cross the 60,000-70,000tonnes mark and start putting catapults onto our ships we will need a nuclear vessel.

While the decision of the IN is sound for the present, it will change in the future, unless off course new cutting edge propulsion system comes around that is better than nuke power and gives the many benefits that using nuke power offers.

Saya, whats the point anyways if the IN has the brief to stick around in the IOR only? We dont require nuke carriers unlike subs which does require nuke power to stay below for long periods with the strategic weapons. Nuke power will be required only when India is much bigger and ready to project power from the south china sea and pacific ocean region right up to the Mediterranean. That is going to take decades. No point talking about nuke carriers now and concentrate on whats to be done now than get distracted with what we need at least 20 years from now.

It makes sense for the IN to go nuclear for its future AC propulsion. Nuclear power will greatly reduce the burden of logistics, especially refueling at sea. The tender can then concentrate on fuel for the aircrafts on board, supplies and weapons replenishment.

Besides, 99% of the time IN's AC ops, just like the USN's and the French Navy's, will be confined to diplomacy (power projection) and training exercises. It'll very rare for the IN ACs to engage in real combat. And if they do engage in combat their nuclear ACs should be far removed from the range of conventional anti-AC missiles and it will be supported by a dedicated array of aerial, surface and submarine assets.

Less initial investment for building the CV compared to CVN (almost 3 times less)
Low life-cycle costs
Low overhaul costs
Low diposal (or decommission) costs
Less maintenance
Less time spent on maintenance and so more operational readiness

Disadvantages

Frequent refueling
Relatively slow speed (not much)
Carries relatively less Aviation fuel and ammo storage compared to CVN due to the need to carry its own fuel

Nuclear powered Aircraft Carriers (CVN)

Advantages:

Relatively faster than CV
Carries more Aviation fuel and ammo or weapons
Can stay longer at sea due to lower refueling needs (but still requires support ships or port calling for other supplies required for the crew)

Disadvantages

High initial investment cost (3 times more than CV)
High life-cycle costs
High maintenance and overhaul costs
Less time spent on maintenance and therefore less operational readiness.
High disposal (decommission) costs

Here is a comparison table of a CVN with CV made for a Congressional report in 1998.

Now given these details, tell me which one you would or rather Indian Navy would prefer to operate.